This whole week – from March 11-17 – is AmeriCorps Week, where we celebrate the programs, organizations and individuals that make this national service initiative possible in thousands of locations across the country. That is why today’s Texanthropy Spotlight is on Erin Moody, the 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Awards AmeriCorps “Make a Difference” Award Winner. This award recognizes the exemplary achievement of an AmeriCorps member who is currently serving or has served the State of Texas.

Erin Moody has served as an AmeriCorps member with Communities In Schools of Central Texas at Lockhart Junior High School. During her service term, Erin has carried a caseload of more than forty 6th to 8th grade students with whom she meets individually for at least one hour per week. Erin has established strategies for communication among teachers, CIS staff members, schools administrators, and school resource officers to address behavior, academic, or other issues in a timely manner to ensure lasting benefits to her students. In her first year, 100% of the students in Erin’s caseload improved in academics and behavior, 90% passed all four of their core classes, and 100% were promoted to the next grade level. Erin was the only AmeriCorps member to have these results with her caseload of students. Additionally, Erin has facilitated numerous student-led projects on campus. Erin has gone above and beyond her official position description to build relationships and to initiate strategies that encourage and empower the youth at Lockhart Junior High so they have the best opportunity to reach their full potential as well-educated, engaged young citizens.